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CHINA rejected US President George W Bush’s criticism yesterday of its human rights record and restrictions on religion, diplomatically telling him to stay out of its affairs even as he flew to Beijing to attend the Olympics.

In a speech outlining America’s achievements and challenges in Asia, Bush pushed for a free press, free assembly and labour rights in China, and against its detentions of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists.

He said he wasn’t trying to antagonise China, but called such reform the only path the potent United States rival can take to reach its full potential. He antagonised the Chinese anyway, setting the stage for an interesting reception when he attends the opening ceremonies this evening, taking in some events – including the US-China men’s basketball game – and meeting with President Hu Jintao on Sunday after attending church.

“The Chinese government puts people first, and is dedicated to maintaining and promoting its citizens basic rights and freedom,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said in response to Bush’s speech.

“Chinese citizens have freedom of religion. These are indisputable facts.”

He said China advocates discussions on differing views on human rights and religions on “a basis of mutual respect and equality”, then indicated it didn’t see Bush’s criticism in that light. “We firmly oppose any words or acts that interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, using human rights and religion and other issues,” Qin said.

Bush has been trying to walk a tightrope in attending the games – wanting to avoid causing Beijing embarrassment during its two weeks on the world stage through its staging of the Olympics, while also coming under pressure to use his visit to openly press China’s leaders for greater religious tolerance and other freedoms.

Chinese officials bristled when he met with Chinese activists at the White House last week. “With this speech, Bush is trying to address two polar issues: easing the controversy created by those who oppose his visit during the Games and simultaneously maintaining America’s strategy with China,” said Yan Xuetong, an expert in US-China relations at Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University.

Making the repression issue timely, China has rounded up opponents ahead of the Olympics and slapped restrictions on journalists, betraying promises made when it landed the hosting rights.

The White House’s handling of the speech demonstrated the president’s balancing act. Bush’s address containing the criticism of China was delivered outside the country, in Thailand.

The White House took the unusual step of releasing the text of it even earlier – about 18 hours before he spoke.

And the speech was followed by a string of events yesterday – by both the president and his wife Laura – that were clearly aimed at shifting the focus to the repressive military regime in Burma .

Burma – called Myanmar by the regime – marks the 20th anniversary of a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy activists today.

Laura Bush flew for the day to northwestern Thailand to visit a border refugee camp. The Mae La camp is home to 38000 Karen – an ethnic minority that human rights organisations say is the target of an ongoing military campaign marked by murders of civilians, rapes and razing of villages. She also stopped at a health clinic run by a woman known as the “Mother Teresa of Burma”.

Bush’s speech had been expected to prominently feature Burma, which has been under military rule since 1962. But it contained only a brief – though blunt – mention of the reclusive nation.

Bush also urged North Korea to live up to its promise to dismantle its nuclear weapons, adding: “The United States will continue to insist that the regime in Pyongyang end its harsh rule and respect the dignity and human rights of the North Korean people.” About 25 people around the convention centre where Bush spoke welcomed him. But a Muslim group shouted “Bush, get out. God is great” as the presidential motorcade passed. The protesters also handed out leaflets saying “George Bush is a war criminal”. — Sapa-AP